City of Santa Monica, CA Chapter 9.61 SIGNS

§ 9.61.010 Applicability of Chapter.

This Chapter, referred to as the Santa Monica Sign Code or Chapter, shall apply to any new sign proposed to be placed, changed, altered, or displayed in the City as of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter. Unless Section 9.61.240(B) applies, any sign placed or displayed prior to the effective date of the ordinance codified in this Chapter shall be subject to Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 9.61 as it existed on the date of the approval of the sign permit or, if the sign is exempt from the permitting requirements of this Chapter, the date of sign placement or display.

(Added by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.020 Findings, Purposes, and Policies.

The City Council finds and declares:

A. It is the intent of the Santa Monica Sign Code to preserve and enhance the aesthetic, traffic safety, and environmental values of the City while at the same time providing for channels of communication to the public, including, but not limited to, identifying and advertising businesses within the City. The purpose of this Code is to provide minimum standards to safeguard life, health, property, and public welfare through the regulation and control of the design, materials, construction, size, location, and maintenance of signs and sign structures;

B. It is the City's policy to regulate signs in a manner that is consistent with the free speech provisions of the United States Constitution and the liberty of speech provisions of the California Constitution, by enacting regulations that are content neutral;

C. An excess of large, ugly, intense signs causes a visual blight on the appearance of the City by detracting from views of structures and open space. This visual blight adversely affects the aesthetic quality of life and traffic safety in Santa Monica for residents, businesses, pedestrians, tourists, and persons in vehicles. In order to promote the appearance of the City, while protecting the rights of sign owners to expression and identification, the regulation of existing and proposed signs is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare;

D. The purpose of the Santa Monica Sign Code is to encourage signs that are integrated with and harmonious to the buildings and sites that they occupy, to eliminate excessive and confusing sign displays, to preserve and improve the appearance of the City as a place in which to live and to work and as an attraction to nonresidents who come to visit or trade, and to restrict signs that increase the probability of accidents by distracting attention or obstructing vision;

E. The Santa Monica Sign Code provides minimum standards to safeguard life, safety, property, and public welfare by reviewing design and by regulating size, construction, location, electrification, operation, and maintenance of all signs and sign structures exposed to public view within the City. The visual appearance and traffic safety of the City cannot be achieved by measures less restrictive than the procedures and standards of this Chapter;

F. The City has extensive and wide-ranging programs regulating the aesthetics of its public streetscape and private development; and

G. It is also the intent of the City to regulate signs consistent with California Business and Professions Code Sections 5490 through 5499 to the maximum extent permitted by State law.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.025 Substitution Clause.

To ensure that the Santa Monica Sign Code is neutral with respect to noncommercial messages, subject to the property owner's consent, a noncommercial message of any type may be substituted for any duly permitted or allowed commercial message or any duly permitted or allowed noncommercial message, provided that the sign structure or mounting device is legal without consideration of message content. Such substitution of message may be made without any additional approval or permitting. This provision prevails over any more specific provision to the contrary within this Chapter. The purpose of this provision is to prevent any inadvertent favoring of commercial speech over noncommercial speech. This provision does not create a right to increase the total amount of signage on a parcel, lot, or land use; does not affect the requirement that a sign structure or mounting device be properly permitted; does not allow a change in the physical structure of a sign or its mounting device; does not allow the substitution of an off-premises commercial message in place of an on-premises commercial message; does not allow one particular on-premises commercial message to be substituted for another without otherwise complying with this Sign Code; and does not excuse compliance with an approved sign program.

(Added by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.030 Definitions.

The definitions in Section 9.52.020 apply to the words and phrases used in this Chapter, unless otherwise specified herein. In addition, the following words and phrases have the following meanings when used in this Chapter:

9.61.030.0010 Abandoned sign. A sign that no longer advertises or identifies a legal business establishment, product, or activity.

9.61.030.0020 Alteration. Any change in copy, color, size, or shape that changes the appearance of a sign, or a change in position, location, construction, or supporting structure of a sign, except that a copy change on an attraction or reader board is not an alteration.

9.61.030.0030 Animated sign. Any sign that has any visible moving part, flashing or oscillating lights, visible mechanical movement of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by any means.

9.61.030.0040 Attraction or reader board. Any sign having changeable copy for the purpose of advertising events, sales, services, or products provided on the site.

9.61.030.0050 Awning sign. Any sign painted on or attached to or supported by an awning.

9.61.030.0060 Balloon sign. A lighter-than-air gas-filled balloon tethered in a fixed location.

9.61.030.0070 Billboard or poster panel. An off-premises sign.

9.61.030.0080 Building frontage. The linear dimensions of a building that faces upon a public street, projected along the street property line. Where a building faces 2 or more streets, the frontage containing the principal street address shall be designated as the building frontage.

9.61.030.0090 Building identification sign. Any sign containing the name or address of a building and may include hours of operation and emergency information, such sign being located on the same site as the structure.

9.61.030.0100 Cabinet sign. A sign that contains all text, logo, or symbols within a single enclosed cabinet and may or may not be illuminated. The terms "cabinet sign" and "sign can" are used interchangeably.

9.61.030.0110 Copy sign. An attraction or reader board.

9.61.030.0120 Commercial sign. Any sign with wording, logo, symbol, image, or other representation that, directly or indirectly, names, advertises, or calls attention to a business, product, service, profession, commodity, event, person, institution, or other commercial activity, or otherwise contains commercial speech.

9.61.030.0130 Commercial speech. Any message, including, but not limited to, wording, logo, symbol, image, or other representation, proposing a commercial transaction or related to the economic interests of the speaker and its audience.

9.61.030.0140 Decal. A nontransferable authorization, affixed to a sign by the City, for a portable sign to be displayed as authorized by this Chapter.

9.61.030.0150 Director. The Director of the City's Community Development Department or designee.

9.61.030.0160 Emitting sign. A sign that emits sound, odor, or visible matter such as smoke or steam.

9.61.030.0170 Freestanding sign. Any sign that is permanently affixed in or upon the ground, supported by one or more structural members, with air space between the ground and the sign face.

9.61.030.0180 Grade. The level of the site at the property line located at the closest distance to the sign.

9.61.030.0190 Ground sign. Any sign that is neither attached to nor part of a structure and that is permanently affixed in or upon the ground with no air space between the ground and the sign face.

9.61.030.0200 High-rise sign. Any sign located on a building 4 or more stories in height that is between the top of the parapet or high point of the building, exclusive of penthouse structures, and the horizontal line not more than 15 feet below the top of the parapet or high point of the building on the side of the building to which the sign is affixed.

9.61.030.0210 Illegal sign. Any sign placed without proper approval or permits as required by the Santa Monica Municipal Code at the time of sign placement. Illegal sign also means any sign placed contrary to the terms or time limits of any permit and any nonconforming sign that has not been brought into compliance with the provisions of Sections 9.61.240 and 9.61.250 of this Chapter.

9.61.030.0220 Illuminated sign. Any sign for which an artificial source of light is used in order to make readable the sign's message, including internally and externally lighted signs and reflectorized, glowing, or radiating signs.

9.61.030.0230 Information sign. An exterior sign erected on or immediately adjacent to an entrance, exit, rest room, office door, telephone, outdoor dining barrier, or similar property feature.

9.61.030.0240 Light bulb string. A display consisting of a row or rows of bare light bulbs.

9.61.030.0250 Logo, logogram, or logotype. An emblem, letter, character, pictograph, trademark, or symbol used to represent the firm, organization, entity, or product.

9.61.030.0260 Marquee. A permanent roof-like shelter extending from part or all of a building face and constructed of some durable material that may or may not project over a public right-of-way.

9.61.030.0270 Marquee sign. Any sign painted on or attached to or supported by a marquee.

9.61.030.0280 Meritorious sign. A freestanding, roof, upper level, projecting, or off-premises sign that was designated as a meritorious sign by City Council on March 22, 2000.

9.61.030.0290 Mobile billboard. Any sign with advertising that is attached to a mobile, nonmotorized vehicle, device, or bicycle, that carries, pulls, or transports a sign or billboard, and is for the primary purpose of advertising,

9.61.030.0300 Monument sign. A ground sign having a horizontal dimension greater than its vertical dimension.

9.61.030.0310 Mural. A picture on an exterior surface of a structure that does not contain commercial speech.

9.61.030.0320 Neon signs. A sign with tubing that is internally illuminated by neon or other electrically charged gas.

9.61.030.0330 Noncommercial sign. Any sign that is not a commercial sign as defined herein. A mural is an example of a noncommercial sign.

9.61.030.0340 Noncommercial speech. Any message that is not commercial speech as defined herein.

9.61.030.0350 Nonconforming sign. A sign that was validly installed under laws or ordinances in effect at the time of its installation, but that is in conflict with the current provisions of the Santa Monica Sign Code.

9.61.030.0360 Off-premises sign. A commercial sign which directs attention to a business, commodity, industry or other activity which is sold, offered or conducted elsewhere than on the premises upon which the sign is located, or to which it is affixed, and which is sold, offered or conducted on such premises only incidentally if at all.

9.61.030.0370 On-premises sign. A commercial sign which directs attention to the primary business, commodity, service, industry or other activity which is sold, offered, or conducted on the premises upon which such sign is located, or to which it is affixed, or for signs authorized pursuant to Section 9.61.200(A), signs placed within 12 feet directly in front of the frontage of the premises of the primary business. Where a number of businesses, services, industries, or other activities are conducted on the premises, or a number of commodities, services, or other activities with different brand names or symbols are sold on the premises, up to one-third of the area of an on-premises sign, or 25 square feet of sign area, whichever is the lesser, may be devoted to the advertising of one or more of those businesses, commodities, services, industries, or other activities by brand name or symbol as an accessory function of the on-premises sign, provided that such advertising is integrated with the remainder of the sign, and provided also that any limits which may be imposed by this Code on the area of individual signs and the area of all signs on the property are not exceeded. The primary business, commodity, service, industry, or other activity on the premises shall mean the use which occupies the greatest area on the premises upon which the on-premises sign is located, or to which it is affixed.

9.61.030.0380 Permanent sign. Any legally placed sign that is intended to be and is so constructed as to be of a lasting and enduring condition, remaining unchanged in character, condition (beyond normal wear) and position, and in a permanent manner affixed to the ground, wall, or building.

9.61.030.0390 Pole or post sign. A freestanding sign.

9.61.030.0400 Portable sign. Any movable sign not permanently attached to the ground or a building.

9.61.030.0410 Projecting sign. A sign that projects from and is supported by a wall or parapet of a building with the display surface of the sign in a plane perpendicular to or approximately perpendicular to the wall.

9.61.030.0420 Public sign. A sign on public property open to the public that is erected or maintained by a public agency or that serves to fulfill a permit condition imposed by a public agency, such as a sign erected to preserve the safe and efficient control of traffic and parking or to provide notification of essential governmental services.

9.61.030.0430 Pylon sign. A ground sign having a vertical dimension greater than its horizontal dimension.

9.61.030.0440 Review body. The body responsible for making decisions on sign permit applications, which, depending on the circumstances, may be: the Architectural Review Board, or the Planning Commission on appeal of a decision by the Architectural Review Board; the Director for signs or sign programs subject to administrative approval; the Landmarks Commission, or the Planning Commission on appeal of a decision by the Landmarks Commission, for signs or sign programs on a City-Designated Historic Resource; or the Landmarks Commission Secretary for signs or sign programs on a City-Designated Historic Resource subject to administrative approval.

9.61.030.0450 Revolving or rotating sign. An animated sign.

9.61.030.0460 Roof sign. Any sign erected upon a roof, parapet, or roof-mounted equipment structure and extending above a roof, parapet, or roof-mounted equipment structure of a structure.

9.61.030.0470 Sign. Any name, figure, character, outline, display, announcement, or device, or structure supporting the same, or any other device of similar nature designed to attract attention outdoors, and all parts, portions, units, and materials composing the same, together with the frame, background, and supports or anchoring thereof.

9.61.030.0480 Sign area. The surface area of a sign calculated by enclosing the extreme limits of all lettering, background, emblem, logo, representation, or other display within a single continuous perimeter composed of squares or rectangles with no more than 8 lines drawn at right angles. On signs with more than one face, the sign area shall be calculated as the sum of: (a) 100% of the surface area, as calculated above, of that face or those faces visible from any one direction at one time, with the direction selected to be that which maximizes the sign area; and (b) 50% of the surface area, as calculated above, of all other faces.

9.61.030.0490 Sign face. An exterior display surface of a sign, including nonstructural trim exclusive of the supporting structure.

9.61.030.0500 Sign program. A coordinated program of all signs, including exempt and temporary signs for a business or businesses, if applicable, located on a site.

9.61.030.0510 Special event sign. A sign authorized through a community events permit issued pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 4.68, or through a license agreement with the City, or a Temporary Use Permit authorized pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 9.44.

9.61.030.0520 Statue. A three-dimensional representation, including a sculpture. A statue that contains commercial speech is a sign.

9.61.030.0530 Temporary sign. Any sign, not permanently attached to the ground or a structure, which is installed or placed for a limited duration.

9.61.030.0540 Total sign area. The sum of the sign areas of all externally viewable signs on a site, excluding the area of signs exempt from sign permit requirements under Sections 9.61.140, 9.61.150, and 9.61.160.

9.61.030.0550 Upper Level Sign. Any sign mounted on a building that is placed in whole or in part between thirty inches above the second-floor floor line and the top of a parapet or roof line, but does not include a high rise sign.

9.61.030.0560 Vehicle sign. A mobile billboard or any sign permanently or temporarily attached to or placed on a vehicle or trailer for the basic purpose of advertising products or directing people to a business or activity located on the same or nearby property where the vehicle or trailer is parked on a public right-of-way or public property or on a private property so as to be visible from a public right-of-way.

9.61.030.0570 Wall sign. Any sign attached to or painted on the wall of a structure in a plane parallel or approximately parallel to the plane of said wall.

9.61.030.0580 Window sign. Any sign viewable through or affixed in any manner to a window or exterior glass door such that it is viewable from the exterior, including signs located inside a building but visible primarily from the outside of the building.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2793CCS, 10/22/2024)

§ 9.61.040 Sign Permit.

In addition to conforming with all other applicable requirements of the Santa Monica Municipal Code, including obtaining any other required permit, a sign permit shall be obtained from the Review Body prior to placing, changing, altering, or displaying any sign unless specifically exempted by this Chapter. No sign permit shall be required where the only work to be performed is the repair, maintenance, or replacement of a conforming sign, the repair or maintenance of a nonconforming sign, or the replacement or repair of a destroyed sign, except when such sign is required to be removed or modified to conform to the requirements of this Chapter in accordance with Section 9.61.240.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.050 Landmarks Commission Review.

Except as provided in Section 9.61.205, in the case of any new sign or sign program proposed to be placed, changed, altered or displayed on a City-designated Historic Resource, the review body shall be the Landmarks Commission, or where administrative approval is authorized in accordance with Section 9.61.120 the Landmarks Commission Secretary, through submission of a Certificate of Appropriateness application. Such applications as they relate to a sign or sign program shall be subject to the same standards specified in this Chapter. All sign or sign program decisions by the Landmarks Commission may be appealed to the Planning Commission. Administrative approvals by the Landmarks Commission Secretary are not subject to appeal.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2839CCS, 1/13/2026)

§ 9.61.060 Fees.

The City Council shall from time to time amend by resolution following a public hearing a schedule of fees for applications, permits, sign adjustments, appeals, and other approvals under this Chapter.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.070 Sign Permit Application Requirements.

A. Application Forms and Materials..

1. Application Forms. The Director shall prepare and issue application forms and lists that specify the information that will be required from applicants for projects subject to the provisions of the ordinance codified in this Section.

2. Supporting Materials. The Director shall require the submission of supporting materials as part of the application, including, but not limited to, statements, photographs, plans, drawings, renderings, models, material samples, contextual drawings, massing diagrams and/or models, site development history information, and other items necessary or relevant to describe existing conditions and the proposed project and to determine the level of environmental review pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act.

3. Availability of Materials. All material submitted becomes the property of the City, may be distributed to the public, and shall be made available for public inspection. At any time upon reasonable request, and during normal business hours, any person may examine an application and materials submitted in support of or in opposition to an application in the Planning Division offices. Unless prohibited by law, copies of such materials shall be made available at a reasonable cost.

B. Applications for sign permits shall be accompanied by the following material:

1. Site Plan. Scale plans indicating the location of existing signs to be retained or removed and proposed new signs.

2. Existing Building Elevation. Scale drawings indicating locations of all existing signs on the site or building that are to be retained and indicating the location of all existing signs on the site or building that are to be removed. Dated and signed color photographs (not slide transparencies) at least three inches by three inches minimum in size of all existing signs.

3. Proposed Building Elevations. Scale drawings indicating locations of proposed signs and existing signs that are to be retained on the site.

4. Sign Illustration. Scale drawing indicating dimensions, colors, materials, copy, illumination, and exterior structural fixtures of each sign on the site.

5. Other information. Other information required by the guidelines and standards of the Architectural Review Board, regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 9.61.290, and, for City-Designated Historical Resources, guidelines and standards of the Landmarks Commission.

C. For all new projects and building remodels that directly affect existing signs and for any change to a sign in a multiple-unit dwelling, a sign program shall be required and accompany the application for a sign permit. The sign program shall include, but is not limited to, indications of locations, dimensions, colors, letter styles, and sign types of all signs to be retained, removed, and installed on a site.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2793CCS, 10/22/2024)

§ 9.61.080 Review of Sign Permit Applications for Completeness.

The Secretary of the Architectural Review Board and, for sign applications relating to a City-Designated Historic Resource, the Secretary of the Landmarks Commission, shall review all sign applications to determine if the application is complete.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.090 Action on Sign Permit Applications.

A. The Review Body shall approve, approve with modification or conditions, or deny the sign permit application. A sign application for a sign or sign program permitted by Section 9.61.170 that conforms to the total sign area provided by Section 9.61.190 and other provisions of this Chapter governing the size, construction, location, electrification, and operation of signs shall be approved without modifications or conditions, unless the Review Body makes one or more of the following findings:

1. That the shape, design, placement, color, style, or quantity of text, illumination, or reflected light of a sign or signs conflicts or interferes with traffic, both vehicular or pedestrian, from a public safety standpoint, by distracting attention or obstructing vision;

2. That the shape, design, placement, color, style, or quantity of text, illumination, or reflected light of a sign or signs is incongruous with or detracts from the distinct architectural or historic design or character of the building to which the sign is affixed or of the neighborhood in which the sign is located; or

3. The sign or signs obscures other signs from primary view or dominates its immediate vicinity to such an extent as to detract from the visibility of other signs, historic resources, or public view corridors.

B. If the Review Body denies, modifies, or conditionally approves a sign application pursuant to this Section, it shall issue its decision in writing and shall state the findings of fact and reasons relied upon to reach its decision. The applicant shall have an opportunity to submit a revised application to remedy the inadequacies of the original sign application identified in the decision of the Review Body.

C. The Review Body shall not deny a sign application because of the contents or message of a sign or direct that the contents or message of a sign be altered or modified as a condition of approval.

D. The decision of the Review Body shall be filed with the Secretary of the Architectural Review Board.

E. A copy of the decision of the Review Body shall be provided to the applicant by email utilizing the email address provided on the application, in person, or by United States mail, upon request.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.100 Appeals.

Any decision of the Architectural Review Board or Landmarks Commission under this Chapter may be appealed to the Planning Commission by the applicant or any interested person. Notice of any appeal from the ruling of the Architectural Review Board or Landmarks Commission must be filed within 10 calendar days of the date that such ruling is made, and must be accompanied, by the fee established by the Santa Monica Municipal Code. When such an appeal is made, the Planning Commission shall hear the appeal within 30 days of the receipt of said notice of appeal unless the appellant has agreed to extend the hearing date. The Planning Commission shall base its decision on the evidence submitted to it at said hearing, and upon the record from the Architectural Review Board or Landmarks Commission and such other records as may exist in the case. Any such decision of the Planning Commission shall comply with Section 9.61.090 and shall be final.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.110 Time for Exercising Sign Permit and Proof of Compliance.

A sign permit shall become null and void if the sign for which the approval was granted and all conditions imposed in connection with the approval have not been completed within 6 months of issuance of the sign permit or, in the case of a sign approved for a building not yet completed, 6 months after the issuance of the certificate of occupancy. Within 30 days of the completion of the sign, the applicant shall file with the Community Development Department a color photograph at least 3 inches by 3 inches minimum in size showing completion of the sign or sign program in accordance with the sign permit.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.120 Administrative Approval of Sign Permits.

A. Except as provided in Section 9.61.050 or if otherwise exempted from the sign permit requirements of this Chapter, the Director, or, where the sign or sign program relates to a City-Designated Historic Resource, the Secretary of the Landmarks Commission, is empowered to review and approve the following signs and sign programs by administrative approval:

1. Signs that are permitted under and compliant with Section 9.61.170, except that administrative approval of permanent window signs is limited to such signs that do not completely obstruct the lower 5 feet of a window on the first floor;

2. Signs that are consistent with a sign program that has been approved by: (a) the Architectural Review Board, or Planning Commission on appeal, in conjunction with the design review of the building to which the sign is affixed, or (b) the Landmarks Commission, or Planning Commission on appeal, in conjunction with review of a certificate of appropriateness for the City-Designated Historic Resource to which the sign is affixed;

3. Sign programs in compliance with the requirements of this Chapter;

4. Alterations to signs and sign programs previously approved by the Review Body, provided that the proposed alteration is: (a) limited to the specified colors, font types, lighting, and reductions in size of signs in a sign programs and is consistent with the sign program's intent and design, or (b) to the sign face and does not involve alterations to the frame, additional or altered illumination, or physical relocation of the sign;

5. Any signs authorized by Section 9.61.200; or

6. Any other signs or sign programs that the Architectural Review Board, by resolution, authorizes the Director or the Secretary of the Landmarks Commission to administratively approve.

B. Any application for administrative approval pursuant to this Section shall comply with the requirements of Section 9.61.070.

C. The administrative decision of the Director or the Secretary of the Landmarks Commission shall be effective upon issuance and shall be final and not subject to administrative appeal.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2669CCS § 1, adopted April 27, 2021)

§ 9.61.130 Sign Adjustment.

A. In order to assure adequate business identification, a variance from any nonstructural provision of this Chapter may be granted by the Architectural Review Board, or the Planning Commission on appeal, or, for City-Designated Historic Resources, the Landmarks Commission, or the Planning Commission on appeal, upon the filing of an application for sign adjustment and subject to the following findings:

1. The strict application of the provisions of this Chapter would result in practical difficulties or unnecessary hardships for the business or property owner, which would be inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter and which would arise from unique physical or topographic circumstances or conditions of project design;

2. The granting of the requested variance would not constitute a grant of special privilege inconsistent with limitations imposed on similarly zoned properties or inconsistent with the purposes of the Zoning Ordinance;

3. The granting of the requested variance would not be incompatible with other nearby signs, other elements of street and site furniture, or with adjacent structures. Compatibility shall be determined by the relationships of the elements of form, proportion, scale, color, materials, surface treatment, overall sign size and the size and style of lettering; and

4. The granting of the variance would not be inconsistent with the purposes of this Chapter.

B. A sign adjustment application shall comply with the requirements of Section 9.61.070.

C. For purposes of this Section, the prohibitions contained in subsections (3) and (8) through (10) of Section 9.61.180(A) shall be deemed to be nonstructural provisions of this Chapter. No application for a sign adjustment may be accepted to request retention of any nonconforming signs subject to Section 9.61.240.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.140 Exempt Signs.

The following signs are exempt from the provisions of the Santa Monica Sign Code:

A. All signs that are placed inside a structure and that are either not visible through windows or building openings or are located a minimum of five feet from such windows or openings and from an adjacent window merchandise display base, if any;

B. A special event sign, provided that they are not of the type prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4 and A.9 through A.12 or by Section 9.61.230;

C. Pole banners and over-the-street banners authorized pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.500;

D. Noncommercial signs provided that they are neither: (1) temporary signs under Section 9.61.160; nor (2) signs prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4 and A.9 through A.12 or by Section 9.61.230;

E. Signs placed on bicycles or other shared mobility devices pursuant to and in compliance with a sponsorship agreement with the City relating to a bike share or shared mobility device system;

F. Signs placed on public transit; or

G. Signs placed on and associated with a digital wayfinding kiosk installed in the public right-of-way or public property pursuant to a license agreement with the City;

H. Displays or activations on the Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel authorized by a permit or agreement with the City.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2793CCS, October 22, 2024; Ord. No. 2857CCS, April 28, 2026)

§ 9.61.150 Permanent Signs Exempt from Sign Permit.

The following permanent signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this Chapter. The use of these signs does not affect the amount or type of signage otherwise allowed by this Chapter. All signs listed in this Section must be in conformance with all other applicable requirements of this Chapter and the Santa Monica Municipal Code:

A. Building Identification Signs. Building identification signs not to exceed 2 square feet in sign area that are authorized based on the City's compelling health and safety interest in ensuring that safety personnel and members of the public can immediately identify the name or location of the property, the hours of operation, and emergency information.

B. Information Sign. Information signs not to exceed 2 square feet in sign area for each sign, except that any parcel may have one information sign affixed to an outdoor dining barrier that does not exceed24 inches by 42 inches, and any parcel within the Bayside Conservation District may have one information sign affixed to the rear of a building that does not exceed 4 square feet. The number of exempt exterior information signs shall not exceed 2 per parcel, except that in the Bayside Conservation District, the number shall not exceed 4 per parcel.

C. Public Signs. Public signs, provided that they are not of the type prohibited by subsections (1) through (4) and (9) through (12) of Section 9.61.180(A).

D. Tablets and Plaques. Tablets and plaques of metal or stone if authorized pursuant to Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.56.060(F) and not exceeding 24 inches in any dimension.

E. Theatre Sign. Theatre sign copy or display changes on existing theatre marquee signs or permanently affixed display cases.

F. Banners, Flags, and Pennants. Banners, flags, and pennants that do not directly advertise the business or activity located on the building site, provided that no more than three such banners, flags, or pennants for each site are exempt under this Section.

G. Change of Copy. A change of copy on signs previously approved by the Review Body. A change in the face of a cabinet sign is a change of copy, provided that any such change affects only the message of the sign and does not change the color of background or letters, size or location of letters, or otherwise alter the general appearance of the cabinet sign.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2669CCS § 2, adopted April 27, 2021)

§ 9.61.160 Temporary Sign Restrictions.

The following signs are exempt from the permit requirements of this Chapter. The use of these signs does not affect the amount or type of signage otherwise allowed by this Chapter. All signs listed in this Section must be in conformance with all other applicable requirements of this Chapter and the Santa Monica Municipal Code:

A. Basic Requirements Governing Temporary Signs.

1. Illumination. No temporary sign shall be internally or externally illuminated, except if the sign is a light bulb string authorized by this Section.

2. Location.

a. Except as authorized by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.490, no temporary sign shall extend into, on or over the public right-of-way of any street, alley, or other public property.

b. No temporary sign shall extend into the hazardous visual obstruction zone as established by Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 9.21.180, Hazardous Visual Obstructions.

3. Maintenance. Temporary signs shall be kept neat, clean, and in good repair. Signs that are faded, torn, damaged, or otherwise unsightly or in a state of disrepair shall be immediately repaired or removed.

4. Placement. No temporary sign shall be attached to trees, shrubbery, utility poles, or traffic control signs or devices. They shall not obstruct or obscure primary signs on adjacent premises.

5. Public Hazard. No temporary sign shall be erected or maintained that, by reason of its size, location, or construction, constitutes a hazard to the public or impairs accessibility.

6. Collection of Temporary Signs Placed in the Public Right-of-Way. The City may collect temporary signs placed in the public right-of-way that are not authorized by this Chapter. The recovery and disposition of any such sign is governed by Section 9.61.280.

B. Authorized Temporary Signage in Any Residential Zone. In any residential zone, temporary signage shall be allowed for each and every parcel without issuance of a permit and shall not affect the amount of type of signage otherwise allowed by this Code as follows:

1. At any time, up to two temporary signs of up to eight square feet in sign area or one temporary sign of up to 16 square feet in sign area and one window sign of no more than four square feet in sign area;

2. At any time, light-bulb strings;

3. Up to 120 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) per calendar year, up to two additional signs of up to eight additional square feet of sign area or one sign of up to 16 square feet in sign area; or

4. Public signs, provided that they are not of the type prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4 and A.9 through A.12.

C. Authorized Temporary Signage in Any Commercial Zone. In any commercial or industrial zone, temporary signage shall be allowed for each and every parcel without issuance of a permit and shall not affect the amount or type of signage otherwise allowed by this Chapter as follows:

1. At any time, up to two temporary signs of up to 10 square feet in sign area or one temporary sign of up to 20 square feet in sign area;

2. Up to 120 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) per calendar year, up to two additional freestanding signs of up to eight additional square feet of sign area or one sign of up to 16 square feet in sign area;

3. For one 60-day period per calendar year, one temporary on-premises banner not exceeding 20% of the front building façade area or one 100 square feet, whichever is less, not extending above the second-floor floor line;

4. For two 30-day periods in any calendar year, a temporary window signs not to exceed 20% of the first floor's total frontage glass area and that do not extend above the second-floor floor line; or

5. Public signs, provided that they are not of the type prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4 and A.9 through A.12.

D. Within the Main Street Commercial Zoning District, each business shall be allowed one temporary on-premises sign in addition to the temporary signs authorized by subsection C, provided that the temporary sign complies with the following requirements:

1. The sign shall not be larger than 10 square feet in size;

2. The sign face shall be no wider than 2.5 feet and no taller than four feet and limited on two sides/faces with a total square footage of sign area not to exceed 20 square feet;

3. The sign shall be a portable sign;

4. The sign is not of the type prohibited by Section 9.61.180A.1 through A.4, A.6, A.7, and A.9 through A.12 or by Section 9.61.230; and

5. The sign shall be removed when the business is closed.

E. Temporary signs are prohibited signs, except as provided by this Section or otherwise exempt pursuant to Section 9.61.140.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2793CCS, October 22, 2024; Ord. No. 2857CCS, April 28, 2026)

§ 9.61.170 Permitted Signs.

A. Signs approved by the Review Body shall be permitted under the following provisions:

1. Attraction or Reader Boards. Attraction or reader boards so long as they do not exceed 20% of total sign area or are otherwise authorized pursuant to Section 9.61.190(G). Copy must be changed periodically during each calendar year.

2. Awning Signs. Awning signs painted or printed on the surface of the awning material so long as the sign area does not exceed 25 square feet and the letter height does not exceed 10 inches. The color of the copy on any awning sign shall be compatible with the awning and building color scheme.

3. Ground Signs. One ground sign for each site in the commercial and industrial districts. A monument sign is permitted so long as it does not exceed 6 feet in height above grade. A pylon sign is permitted as long as it does not exceed 30 inches in width and does not exceed 16 feet in height above grade. The maximum area of one side of a ground sign, including its base, is 40 square feet.

4. Light bulb strings, if placed on a building in any commercial or industrial zone.

5. Marquee Signs. Marquee signs that do not extend more than 12 inches from the surface of the marquee, nor provide less than 8 feet of clearance above ground level are permitted.

6. Statues.

7. Wall Signs. Wall signs so long as the display surface of the sign does not extend more than 12 inches from the wall, is parallel with the wall, does not project above the top of the wall or parapet or more than 30 inches above the second-floor floor line in multistoried buildings, and does not contain copy or lighting on any surface parallel with the wall other than the sign face. A wall sign may be located on the sloping surface of a roof, with no air space between the roof and the sign, but may not project above the high point of the roof or be more than 12 inches in depth. The letter height of a wall sign located 25 feet from the property line in a single tenant building shall not exceed 30 inches.

8. Permanent Window Signs. Permanent window signs, so long as the sign area does not exceed 40% of the first floor's total frontage glass area and the letters are no higher than 12 inches.

9. Projecting Signs. Projecting signs so long as the sign is no greater than 4.5 square feet.

10. Neon signs.

11. Cabinet Signs. Cabinet signs so long as the sign area does not exceed more than 4 square feet and the number of such signs is limited to no more than one sign per floor of the building.

12. The sign falls under an express exception to Section 9.61.180.

B. The letter height on signs permitted pursuant to this Section shall not exceed 18 inches, unless a different letter height is specifically provided in subsection A.

C. Signs authorized through the sign adjustment process pursuant to Section 9.61.160 are permitted.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.180 Prohibited Signs.

A. Except as may be expressly authorized elsewhere in this Chapter, the following signs, and any sign not authorized by Section 9.61.150, 9.61.160, or 9.61.170, are prohibited:

1. Animated Signs. Animated signs, except that:

a. The City may use animated signs to preserve roadway safety and traffic circulation; and

b. Primary and secondary schools may use animated signs on school property for school purposes.

2. Balloon signs.

3. Emitting Signs. Emitting signs, except that devices for communicating with customers at drive-in restaurants, automated bank tellers, and drive-through banks may use sound communication.

4. Freestanding and pole signs.

5. Miscellaneous Signs and Posters. Miscellaneous signs and posters tacked, painted, posted or otherwise affixed on the walls of a building, or on a tree, pole, fence or other structure, and visible from a public way.

6. Off-premises signs.

7. Paper, Cloth, or Plastic Streamers and Bunting. Paper, cloth, or plastic streamers and bunting.

8. Portable signs, except signs authorized pursuant to Section 9.61.160 or 9.61.200.

9. Roof signs.

10. Upper level signs.

11. Vehicle signs, except that this Section does not apply to any vehicle that displays an advertisement or business identification of its owner, so long as such a vehicle is engaged in the usual business or regular work of the owner, and not used merely, mainly, or primarily to display advertisements.

12. High-rise signs.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2839CCS, 1/13/2026)

§ 9.61.190 Total Sign Area Permitted by District.

A. The total sign area factors set forth in this Section govern the aggregate square footage of all nonexempt signs externally placed or externally visible at a given site. The factors are related to the building or store frontage measured along the site street address.

B. The total operative frontage dimension for structures located on a street corner site is 1.5 times the building frontage. For such corner locations, no more than two-thirds of the allowable total sign area shall be permitted facing on one or the other street.

C. For all multiple-use buildings in commercially or industrially zoned districts, the size of signs pertaining to each business or use is governed by that portion of the building frontage occupied by that business or use; the total sign program is governed by the total building frontage. If in addition to any entrance from public streets there is a public entrance from an alley or from a parking lot, additional sign area of one-half square foot per foot of that building frontage is allowed on that side of the premises, not to exceed 20 square feet. If there is no public entrance, signage on that side is limited to a business identification sign, not to exceed 2 square feet.

D. Notwithstanding the maximum total sign area calculated by use of these factors, no single sign shall exceed 100 square feet in sign area at any location.

E. Notwithstanding the maximum total sign area calculated by use of these factors, no business in a commercial or industrial district is required to have signage of less than 25 square feet in area.

F. The maximum sign area is as follows:

1. R1/OP1—Single Unit Residential District. Applicable exempt signs;

2. R2/OPD—Duplex Residential Districts. Applicable exempt signs;

3. All Multi-Unit Districts Except the Beachfront District. A maximum of one-fourth square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage with the total nonexempt sign area not to exceed 25 square feet. Externally illuminated signs are permitted for the purpose of building name and address identification;

4. Hotels in R4 High Density Residential District. A maximum of one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building frontage. Internally illuminated signs are permitted;

5. All Downtown Districts and Beachfront Districts. For other than street corner locations, a maximum of one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building or store frontage. For street corner locations, a maximum of one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building or store frontage for each street facing frontage. The provisions of subsection B shall not apply;

6. All Other Commercial and Industrial Districts. A maximum of one square foot of sign area for each linear foot of building or store frontage;

7. Off-Street Parking Districts. The same as the sign requirements in the appropriate adjacent residential district.

G. In the NC and Downtown Districts, one changeable copy sign that does not exceed 1.5 feet by 2 feet affixed either to the exterior of the building or to a location visible through a window shall not be included as part of the allowable total sign area for a business.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.200 Bayside Conservation District.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter, all non-prohibited signs approved by the Review Body shall be permitted in some limited areas of the Bayside Conservation District, bound by 2nd Court, 3rd Court, Broadway, and Wilshire Boulevard, on the following terms:

A. There shall be no limit on the maximum total sign area of permitted signs for signs that face the Third Street Promenade and signs on mid-block buildings with frontage on the Third Street Promenade that wrap an upper-level building corner.

B. Signs that cover windows that service an occupied tenant space shall be required to have 50% visual transparency. Areas of glazing above 15 feet on single story buildings are exempt from this requirement.

C. Temporary signs on buildings may be displayed for up to 120 days (consecutive or nonconsecutive) per calendar year.

D. Projecting signs that face the Third Street Promenade must be placed at least 10 feet above the sidewalk, and may not project more than 42 inches from the building façade. Three-dimensional signs are projecting signs and sign area shall not exceed 10 square feet. Sign area for three-dimensional signs shall be measured as viewed from the Third Street Promenade elevation.

E. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Chapter, the following prohibited signs are allowed in the Bayside Conservation (Third Street Promenade Area) District:

1. Subject to Section 9.61.200.F, below, animated signs, including, but not limited to, digital display signs composed of a sign face, building face, and/or any building or structural component that displays still images, scrolling images, moving images, or flashing images, including video and animation, through the use of grid lights, cathode ray projections, light emitting diode displays, plasma screens, liquid crystal displays, fiber optics, or other electronic media or technology that is either independent of or attached to, integrated into, or projected onto a building or structural component, and that may be changed remotely through electronic means.

2. On façades facing the Third Street Promenade, supergraphic signs consisting of an image projected onto a wall or printed on vinyl, mesh, or other material with or without written text, supported and attached to a wall by an adhesive and/or by using stranded cable and eye-bolts and/or other materials or methods.

3. For establishments with frontage on the Third Street Promenade, Portable signs not of the type prohibited by subsections A.1 through A.7 and A.9 through A.12 of Section 9.61.180. The sign shall be removed when the business is closed.

4. For establishments with frontage on the Third Street Promenade, Upper Level signs are allowed on façades facing the Third Street Promenade, so long as they are not of the type prohibited by subsections A.1 through A.9 and A.11 and A.12 of Section 9.61.180.

F. Animated signs permitted pursuant to this Section are allowed on the following conditions:

1. Sign must be located only on a façade facing the Third Street Promenade.

2. Maximum allowable sign area shall be the area above the storefront up to 5'0" in height for the width of the tenant space. The sign may be placed anywhere on the building façade so long as the sign does not project above the roofline and the maximum allowable sign area is not exceeded.

3. Signs may not cover windows.

4. Sign lighting shall not be of an intensity or brightness that will create a nuisance for properties in direct line of sight to the sign. Illumination is limited to 0.3 foot candles above ambient lighting at the property line, and a maximum brightness of 300 candelas per square meter at night (from sunset to sunrise), and 5,000 candelas per square meter during the day (sunrise to sunset).

5. Signs must be dimmable.

6. The sign luminance contrast ratio shall not exceed 30:1.

7. The City may require a sign illumination plan in accordance with any adopted administrative regulations pursuant to this Section as part of the application process to demonstrate compliance with all applicable standards.

8. Animated sign faces shall operate only between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 2:00 a.m., and shall be turned off between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

9. Signs are not eligible for a sign adjustment under Section 9.61.130.

G. The City Manager shall have authority to adopt administrative regulations governing the specifications of signs permitted by this Section, including, but not limited to, regulations on brightness, refresh rate, and approval of a sign illumination plan including illumination testing protocols.

H. Nothing this Section would supersede the façade alteration requirements set forth in Santa Monica Municipal Code Chapter 9.55.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2669CCS § 3, adopted April 27, 2021; Ord. No. 2793CCS, October 22, 2024; Ord. No. 2805CCS, March 25, 2025; Ord. No. 2857CCS, April 28, 2026)

§ 9.61.205 Digital Display District.

The purpose of this Section is to identify the area of the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place as an appropriate district for digital displays and provide regulations pertaining to digital displays to ensure digital displays do not create visual clutter or create other operational impacts on surrounding uses, or the public health, safety, or general welfare of the City.

A. Definitions. The following words or phrases as used in this Section shall have the following meanings:

"Annual gross revenues"

means gross revenues received in a calendar year.

"City Manager"

means the City Manager or his or her designee.

"Digital advertising services"

means advertisement services on a digital display, including advertisements in the form of banner advertising, search engine advertising, interstitial advertising, and other comparable advertising services.

"Digital display"

means a display utilizing digital sign technology with a display face to broadcast a message containing static or animated (full motion) content, including on-premises and off-premises advertising; provided, however, on landmark buildings, the City Manager may approve a double-sided digital display to ensure conformance with the requirements of Section 9.61.205.G.7 so long as: (a) the cumulative total display area (sum of the area of both display faces) is consistent with Section 9.61.205.G.4.a; and (b) both display faces show the same content/advertisement at any given moment.

"Digital display commencement date"

means the date that a Certificate of Occupancy or final building permit signoff, as applicable, for the digital display is/has been issued.

"Digital Display District" or "District"

means the area that collectively includes the Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Place shopping center. The Third Street Promenade area is bound by Wilshire Boulevard on the north, Broadway on the south, Third Court on the east, and Second Court on the west. The Santa Monica Place shopping center is bound by Broadway on the north, Colorado Avenue on the south, Fourth Street on the east, and Second Street on the west.

"Existing building"

means building to which the digital display is affixed.

"Gross revenues"

means income or revenue generated by the digital display from all sources, before any expenses (including lease or license payments to owner) or taxes, computed according to generally accepted accounting principles.

"Landmark"

has the same meaning as "landmark" in Section 9.56.030.

"Occupancy"

means leasable space in the existing building is physically occupied by a tenant (not vacant) and open for business, based upon the applicable use classification of the existing building.

"Operator"

means the party responsible for operating the digital display.

"Owner"

means the owner of the property upon which the digital display is mounted.

"Qualified historic preservation professional"

means an architectural historian and/or historic architect with at least seven years of relevant experience who satisfies the Secretary of the Interior's Professional Qualification Standards for History, Architectural History, and/or Architecture pursuant to 36 CFR Part 61.

B. Digital displays may be allowed in the digital display District, subject to the conditions stated herein.

C. Digital displays in the District shall be subject to this Section 9.61.205 and a Development Agreement between the City and the digital display applicant, the procedure for which shall be governed by Chapter 9.60 of this Code. Nothing herein shall require the City to negotiate and/or approve a Development Agreement on terms that are unacceptable to the City, in its sole and absolute discretion.

D. No installation or construction of a new digital display shall occur until after the City Council approval of a Development Agreement authorizing such installation or construction.

E. Owner shall comply with all terms and conditions of this Section or cause operator to comply with all terms and conditions of this Section, with the same force and effect as if performed by owner. Operator's failure to comply with the terms of this Section shall not be deemed to excuse owner's obligations to comply with this Section 9.61.205 and City shall have no obligation to seek any remedies against operator for any violation of this Section.

F. The Development Agreement shall include and enumerate the obligations for the following:

1. Financial community benefits to be paid to the City, based upon the following components:

a. One-Time Community Benefit Contribution. Within 30 days of the digital display commencement date, as applicable, for each digital display, owner shall pay a one-time community benefit contribution to the City in the amount of $500,000 per digital display, which amount shall escalate by 3% annually commencing on June 30, 2027, and thereafter. For any digital display installed with a display area of less than 1,000 square feet, the one-time community benefit contribution to the City shall be reduced proportionately based on square footage up to a maximum of 50% reduction, which would apply after the 3% annual escalation (e.g., on June 30, 2026, for a 700 square foot digital display, the one-time community benefit contribution would be $350,000; on June 30, 2027, for a 700 square foot digital display, the one-time community benefit contribution would be $360,500, etc.).

b. Annual Community Benefit Contribution. Commencing on the digital display commencement date and continuing for each calendar year during the remainder of the term of the Development Agreement, owner shall pay to the City an amount equal to the greater of:

i. Revenue Share Contribution. An amount equal to 20% of the annual gross revenues received for digital advertising services (the "revenue share contribution"), or

ii. 

Minimum Annual Guaranteed Contribution. A minimum annual guaranteed payment ("MAG contribution") to be paid in quarterly installments to the City as detailed in the Development Agreement for each digital display, as follows:

(A) $500,000 per digital display, which amount shall escalate by 3% commencing on June 30, 2027 and annually by 3% each June 30 thereafter. For any digital display with a display area less than 1,000 square feet, the MAG contribution shall be reduced proportionately based on square footage up to a maximum of 50% reduction, which would apply after the 3% annual escalation (e.g., on June 30, 2026, for a 700 square foot digital display, the MAG contribution would be $350,000; on June 30, 2027, for a 700 square foot digital display, the MAG Contribution would be $360,500, etc.).

(B) Upon the digital display commencement date for the 10th display in the Digital Display District, the MAG contribution (after any escalation and pro rata adjustments) shall be reduced by 3% per digital display more than nine (e.g., 3% reduction at the digital display commencement date for the 10th digital display, additional 3% reduction at the digital display commencement date for the 11th digital display, etc.). The Development Agreement for each digital display shall detail implementation specifics of how to account for the MAG contribution reduction so that in no event will the City be required to pay or refund any sum to owner as a result of the MAG contribution reduction. For the avoidance of doubt, any double-sided Digital display approved by the City Manager on a landmark building shall count as one digital display for purposes of this Section.

Nothing in the Digital Display District Section precludes the Development Agreement for any digital display from providing for temporary reductions or increases in the MAG contribution for any digital display based on specified events as set forth in the Development Agreement (e.g., abatement events, temporary removal of signs, failure to meet any occupancy thresholds, etc.).

2. A minimum allocation of 20% of the total annual operating display time for City and art content, which may include, but is not limited to, civic announcements, community interest content, public safety information, public art programming, public art, community events information, story telling on local history, and local business spotlights. City and art content shall be displayed in accordance with Subsection J.

3. Emergency programming, including emergency announcements, instructions, and broadcasts in the event of an emergency, or disaster, or as otherwise reasonably deemed necessary by the City to protect public safety.

4. Quality and maintenance standards for the digital displays.

5. Occupancy standards, including standards for the ground floor, to ensure normal occupancy during the term of the Development Agreement. The Development Agreement shall provide for quarterly reporting of any new vacancies of leasable space in the existing building.

6. Advertising content standards.

7. Rights for the City to audit compliance with Subsections F.1 (financial community benefits) and F.2 (City and Art Content), above.

8. Any such other terms that promote public health, safety, and welfare.

G. City and Art Content. owner shall participate in a City-administered digital display City Content Program, which would serve as the framework for the curation and display of City and art content. The program will be implemented through established administrative guidelines that address technical requirements, selection, licensing, scheduling, and operations of City content and arts programing for digital display. Such guidelines may be amended periodically depending on factors such as the number of participating advertisers, cultural events, technological updates, City priorities, or owner input.

1. Schedule. The display of City and art content shall occur for at least 12 minutes per hour in accordance with a scheduling framework (the "Scheduling Framework") that will be developed by the City on an annual basis. The Scheduling Framework will include but is not limited to defining content rotation intervals such as weekly, daily, hourly, or by the minute. Modifications to the scheduling of City content may be requested in writing in advance and shall be mutually agreed upon between City and owner. City shall make a reasonable good faith effort to provide Scheduling Framework one year in advance, and in any case shall provide such schedule to the owner as soon as reasonably possible in advance of the applicable time period for the City content allocation, but in no case shall this be less than one month in advance. With at least 30 days' prior written notice, the City has the unilateral right to elect to aggregate its City and art content allocation into multiple blocks per hour to facilitate special promotional activities in the City.

2. Delivery. owner shall facilitate and coordinate with the City for the display of the City and art content. owner must provide technical specifications that are necessary for the display of City and art content, including, but not limited to, an image of the display, physical dimensions, content area dimensions, pixel resolution, pixel pitch, color mode, aspect ratio, frame rate, motion file duration, motion file format, maximum file size allowed, and file data rate. The City shall provide proposed content no later than five business days prior to the date the proposed content is to be displayed on the digital display. All such content must meet the specific screen specifications of the digital display. City-provided content may only be altered by the owner to ensure that the content is in a compatible file-type or other formatting standard that is necessary for display.

H. General Standards.

1. Display Type. Digital displays shall be installed only on buildings and shall not be freestanding.

2. Location. Digital displays are permitted only:

a. On corner buildings located on the Third Street Promenade with a maximum of one digital display at the corner of each building; provided, however, that on corner landmark buildings, the City Manager may approve placement other than wrapping the corner to ensure conformance with the requirements of Section 9.61.205(H)(7).

b. On the exterior facades of the Santa Monica Place shopping center with a maximum of four digital displays.

3. Projections/Encroachment.

a. Except for landmark properties, digital displays shall not be installed on any roof of a building and shall not project more than five feet above the roofline or five feet above the façade of the building to which it is mounted, whichever is higher. Architectural or structural elements associated with the digital display shall not be counted towards the height projection limit.

b. Digital displays shall be placed at least: (i) 14.5 feet above a vehicular roadway surface; and (ii) 14.5 feet above a sidewalk; provided, however, that the City Council may approve a lesser height, no lower than 11.5 feet, above a sidewalk through the Development Agreement. Digital displays may not project more than three feet beyond the property line, unless otherwise approved by the City's Public Works Department through the issuance of an encroachment permit.

c. To obtain an encroachment permit, the applicant must demonstrate that the proposed encroachment will be designed to maintain adequate line of sight for vehicles, and will not constitute a hazard to public streets, infrastructure or property, private property, and/or persons lawfully using an adjacent sidewalk, alley, street or other right-of-way.

d. The encroachment permit shall require the permittee to procure and maintain in full force and effect insurance pursuant to the requirements of the City's Risk Manager.

e. The encroachment permit shall require the permittee to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the City, its agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers from any and all: (1) damages, liabilities, injuries, losses, costs and expenses and from any and all claims, demands, lawsuits, writs and other actions or proceedings ("claims") brought against the City or its agents, officers, officials, employees or volunteers to challenge, attack, seek to modify, set aside, void or annul the City's approval of the permit; and (2) other claims, any kind or form, whether for personal injury, death or property damage, that arise from or in connection with the permittee's or its agents', directors', officers', employees', contractors', subcontractors', licensees', or customers' acts or omissions in connection with the permit; provided, however, the permittee shall not be required to defend, indemnify, or hold harmless the City, agents, officers, officials, employees and volunteers due to the active negligence, gross negligence, or willful misconduct of the City, agents, officers, officials, employees, and volunteers. In the event the City becomes aware of any claims, the City shall use best efforts to promptly notify the permittee and shall reasonably cooperate in the defense. The permittee expressly acknowledges and agrees that the City shall have the right to approve, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, the legal counsel providing the City's defense, and the property owner and/or permittee (as applicable) shall promptly reimburse the City for any costs and expenses directly and necessarily incurred by the City in the course of the defense.

4. Maximum Display Area.

a. Except for subsection the total display area of a digital display on a building shall not exceed 1,000 square feet.

b. For the Santa Monica Place shopping center, the total display area of a single digital display shall not exceed 1,000 square feet and the total combined display area of multiple digital displays shall not exceed 4,000 square feet.

c. Architectural features not utilized for display shall not be counted in the total display area.

d. The digital display(s) shall not count toward any sign area limits in any other section of this Chapter including Section 9.61.190.

5. Content. Off-premises advertising is permitted for digital displays provided that only one advertisement may be displayed at any given time.

6. Energy. owner shall contract with an energy provider that will utilize 100% renewable energy resources for electrical service at all times if such service is offered as an option by the electric utility provider. To the extent that photovoltaic is available on site, digital displays may also utilize solar power to satisfy a portion of its energy demand.

7. Landmark Buildings.

a. For Development Agreement applications seeking solely to install a digital display on a landmark building, which is filed prior to December 16, 2025, a digital display may be permitted if, prior to Council's approval of a Development Agreement that would allow the installation of a digital display, the City Manager certifies that:

i. The digital display is installed in a manner that is reversible as defined by the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;

ii. The digital display will not materially alter the existing building such that its significance would be materially impaired; and

iii. All physical characteristics that convey the existing building's significance will remain intact behind the digital display screen, as determined by a qualified historic preservation professional.

b. For Development Agreement applications seeking solely to install a digital display on a landmark building, which is filed on or after December 16, 2025, a digital display may be permitted if, prior to Council's approval of a Development Agreement that would allow the installation of a digital display, the City Manager certifies, after non-binding consultation with the Landmarks Commission at a duly noticed public hearing, that:

i. The digital display is installed in a manner that is reversible as defined by the Secretary of the Interior Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties;

ii. The digital display will not materially alter the existing building such that its significance would be materially impaired; and

iii. All physical characteristics that convey the existing building's significance will remain intact behind the digital display screen, as determined by a qualified historic preservation professional.

c. The installation of a digital display shall not require a Certificate of Appropriateness pursuant to the City's Landmarks Ordinance, Chapter 9.56, and/or Section 9.61.050.

8. Hours of Operation. Hours of operation for digital display programming are seven days per week and limited to:

a. April 1 — September 30 of each year: 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

b. October 1 — March 31 of each year: 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.

9. Emergency Use. The digital display shall be made immediately available to the City for emergency announcements, instructions, and broadcasts in the event of an emergency or disaster, or as otherwise reasonably deemed necessary by the City to protect public safety.

10. Maintenance. digital displays, including underside portions that project or encroach into the public right of way, shall be continually maintained in good, operable condition and free from graffiti, rust, or other blight conditions. The digital display's individual light emitting diodes (LEDs) shall be maintained in an attractive condition and be continuously operable, except during periods of required maintenance, casualty, or as otherwise required by this Section 9.61.205. In the event one or more LEDs malfunction or become damaged or otherwise requires repair, it shall be repaired or replaced as soon as practicable.

11. Audio. Audio, sounds effects, speakers, music, and spoken dialogue are prohibited to accompany operation of the digital display. Notwithstanding the foregoing, on-site sound may be allowed from time to time as part of a community event or community programming- if approved by the City and compliant with City regulations related to noise.

12. Utilities. All utilities in connection with the digital displays shall be installed and maintained at owner's cost and hidden or covered from public view and/or placed underground.

13. Malfunction. Each digital display shall be designed and operated with a control system and monitoring in place to either turn the display off or show full black screen in the event of a malfunction. An emergency shutoff switch shall be provided.

14. No Duty by City to Maintain Landscaping and/or Tree Removal. Unless otherwise expressly agreed to in writing pursuant to a Development Agreement, City shall have no duty to remove, cut, trim, prune, plant, injure, or interfere with any tree, shrub, or plant upon any street, sidewalk, parkway, alley or other public property for purposes of facilitating visibility of a digital display, at any time prior to or during the term of a Development Agreement. Any owner seeking to remove, cut, trim, prune, plant, injure, or interfere with any tree, shrub, or plant upon any street, sidewalk, parkway, alley or other public property, must obtain permission from the City by obtaining a permit pursuant to Chapter 7.40.

15. Design Review. The design of a digital display shall be approved as part of the Development Agreement approval and no subsequent review pursuant to Chapter 9.55 or Section 9.61.050 shall be required unless required pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Development Agreement.

16. Required Findings. In addition to the findings required in Section 9.60.110, the City Council shall make the following findings to approve a Development Agreement for a digital display(s):

a. The digital display is consistent with the goals, objectives, purposes and provisions of the Santa Monica Land Use and Circulation Element and the Downtown Community Plan in effect at the time of City Council approval;

b. The digital display complies with the regulations established herein;

c. The digital display would not otherwise result in a threat to the general health, safety, and welfare of City residents, based on factors, including, but not limited to, such factors as distracted driving, pedestrian and driver safety, light and glare, or aesthetics; and

d. The digital display provides substantial economic and public benefits that would not otherwise accrue to the public in the absence of its installation.

17. Good Neighbor Policy. No later than 60 days prior to installation of the digital display, the owner shall provide the City with contact information for a single individual appointed to communicate with residents, businesses, and commuters with questions, comments, and/or concerns regarding the digital display.

I. Illumination Standards.

1. Digital displays must be light emitting diodes (LEDs), with a power supply efficiency of 80% or greater.

2. Digital displays, including architectural lighting elements (if any), shall adhere to the following lighting standards:

a. Daytime. From start time set forth in the hours of operation (6:00 am or 7:00 a.m.) until sunset, luminance shall not exceed 6,000 candelas per meter squared (cd/m²).

b. Evening. From sunset until 10:00 p.m., luminance shall not exceed 300 candelas per meter squared.

c. Nighttime. From 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m., luminance shall not exceed 200 candelas per meter squared.

d. After Hours. From 2:00 a.m. until start time, digital display shall be powered off.

e. Maximum luminance shall transition smoothly over a period of no less than 45 minutes from: (i) daytime maximum luminance to evening maximum luminance; and from (ii) nighttime maximum luminance to daytime maximum luminance.

f. Illuminance from any digital display or architectural lights of the display, shall not exceed 3.0 foot candles (fc) at any nearby residential uses to limit light trespass.

3. Digital displays shall be dimmable and shall have a light sensing device that provides the ability to automatically reduce power by a minimum of 65%.

4. Digital displays shall have a photocontrol device that will automatically adjust the brightness to less than 300 cd/m² when ambient sunlight conditions are less than 100 footcandles, in addition to an automatic time-switch control or an astronomical time-switch control.

5. Digital displays shall be designed and operated with systems and monitoring in place to either turn the display off or show full black screen in the event of a malfunction.

6. Digital displays shall not simulate or imitate any directional, warning, danger, or information sign, or any other display likely to be mistaken for any permitted sign intended or likely to be construed as giving warning or direction to traffic, for example using such words or phrases as "stop" or "slow down."

7. Digital displays shall not display any red, flashing, blinking, or intermittent lighting that may be mistaken for warning or danger signals nor shall the displays' illumination impair the vision of travelers on the adjacent roadways.

8. Each static image displayed on a digital display shall not be refreshed more often than once every 12 seconds.

9. Each static or animated image displayed on a digital display shall fade in from the previous image over no less than one second and shall fade out over no less than one second to the image of the immediately succeeding content.

10. Digital displays shall not use stroboscopic or flashing images, text, or lighting which rapidly change direction, oscillate, flash or reverse in contrast.

11. Digital displays shall not use scrolling text in any direction.

12. Animated text is permitted.

13. Luminance must be less than 30 to 1 contrast ratios.

14. Photometric Report and Illumination Testing Protocol. A Photometric Report prepared by a lighting professional shall be submitted to the Director upon installation prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy or commercial operation of the display, and at two-year intervals thereafter to confirm conformance with the lighting requirements above. The report shall include:

a. Luminance measured in nits (candelas per square meter). Measurements shall be conducted at the property line of the digital display site, or in the nearest adjacent public right-of-way, perpendicular to the digital display face.

b. Illuminance measured in foot candles. Measurements shall be conducted perpendicular to the digital display face, at the property line containing the digital display, and at adjoining residential use property or properties. The illuminance meter shall be aimed toward the display face from the measurement location.

c. All measurements shall include both luminance and illuminance for two conditions:

i. The display off.

ii. The display illuminated using an all white display, or the sign configuration demonstrating the maximum possible lighting intensity.

d. Complaints about violations of lighting standards shall be reported to the City Manager for investigation and if determined necessary by the City Manager, an updated Lighting Monitoring Report shall be prepared by the owner to confirm compliance.

J. City and Art Content. The City Manager is authorized and may develop guidelines for City and art content, as required under subsection G, above, to be displayed on the digital displays as well as the transmittal process for such content to be delivered to the digital display owner. If adopted by the City Manager, the guidelines shall be posted on the City's website and updated, from time to time.

(Added by Ord. No. 2839CCS, January 13, 2026)

§ 9.61.210 Maintenance.

A. All signs and sign support structures, together with all of their supports, braces, guys, and anchors, shall be kept in repair and in proper state of preservation.

B. The display surfaces of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or posted at all times.

C. Whenever an existing sign is removed, the building façade shall be repaired in a manner consistent with the adjacent, undamaged finish surface. Any provision of the Santa Monica Municipal Code or appendices thereto inconsistent with the provisions of the ordinance codified in this Section, to the extent of such inconsistencies and no further, is hereby repealed or modified to that extent necessary to effect the provisions of said ordinance.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2793CCS, 10/22/2024)

§ 9.61.220 Consent of Property Owner.

No person, except a public officer or employee in the performance of a public duty, or a private person in the giving of a legal notice, shall paste, post, paint, print, nail, tack, or otherwise fasten any card, banner, handbill, sign, poster, advertisement, or notice of any kind upon any property, without the written consent of the owner, holder, lessee, agent, or trustee thereof.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.230 Signs on Street.

A. No person shall erect, suspend, or maintain a sign on, across, or above any street, alley, public property, or any portion thereof, except as may be allowed or required by resolution, license agreement, or other permit issued by the City, by the Santa Monica Municipal Code, or the laws of the State or of the United States.

B. Nothing in the Santa Monica Sign Code shall be deemed or construed to prohibit, upon this issuance of the permits required herein, the erection, suspension, or maintenance of any such sign within or at the recognized boundary of the City, on, across, or above any such streets, alleys, public places, or any portion thereof, such signs to bear exclusively the name of such City and any appropriate words of welcome, or information concerning said City, without the addition of any words, advertising, figure, or devices of any kind.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020; Ord. No. 2857CCS, April 28, 2026)

§ 9.61.240 Removal or Modifications of Nonconforming Signs.

A. Except for meritorious signs, signs existing prior to April 11, 1985, which were made nonconforming by Ordinance No. 1333, may be removed by the Building Officer in accordance with the abatement procedures set forth in Chapter 8.96.

B. All nonconforming signs, other than those subject to subsection A shall be removed or modified to conform to the requirements of this Chapter upon any of the following:

1. If the owner requests permission to remodel a sign, or expands or enlarges the building or land use upon which the sign is located, and the sign is affected by the construction, enlargement, or remodeling, or the cost of construction, enlargement, or remodeling of the sign exceeds 50% of the cost of reconstruction of the building. For purposes of this subsection, remodel does not include normal repair, maintenance of a sign, or a change in copy of the sign;

2. If the owner seeks relocation of the sign;

3. If the sign has been more than 50% destroyed, and the destruction is other than facial copy replacement, and the display is not repaired within 90 days of the date of its destruction;

4. If the City and the owner of the sign agree to its removal on a given date;

5. If the use of the sign has ceased, or the structure upon which the sign is located has been abandoned by its owner, for a period of not less than 90 days;

6. If the sign is or may become a danger to the public or is unsafe as determined by the Building Officer;

7. If the sign constitutes a traffic hazard not created by relocation of streets or highways or by acts of the City, as determined by the Director;

8. If the sign was erected without first complying with the ordinance in effect at the time of its construction and erection or use;

9. Prior to the issuance of a building permit or a permit for any new sign on the same building on which the nonconforming sign is located, unless the nonconforming sign is not owned or controlled by the permit applicant or the permit applicant is not the agent of the person who owns or controls the nonconforming sign; or

10. For a meritorious sign, if the character-defining features of such a sign are altered.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.250 Revocation of Sign Permits.

The Director is authorized to revoke any sign permit granted hereunder if the sign does not meet all specifications or requirements indicated on the approved permit application and on the approved plans.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.260 Enforcement.

A. The Director is hereby granted the power and authority to issue a notice of violation to the sign owner or to the sign owner's agent or manager for any illegal sign or any sign maintained in violation of any provision of this Chapter. Action to correct such violation issued by the Director shall be commenced by the sign owner or the sign owner's agent or manager within 30 days of the issuance of the notice of violation. Proof of the commencement of action to correct the violation must be furnished to the Director within 30 days of the issuance of the notice of violation.

B. If the sign owner, or any person responsible for the sign, fails to respond to the notice of violation within 30 days or fails to correct the violation within 60 days, the owner of the premises upon which the sign is located shall be responsible for the removal of the sign and the work shall be done within 60 days following the notice of violation. The Building Officer may cause the removal of the sign in accordance with the abatement procedures set forth in Chapter 8.96.

C. The provisions of this Section may be utilized separately from, as an alternative to, in addition to, or in conjunction with any other remedy provided by law.

(Added by Ord. No. 2486CCS §§ 1, 2, adopted June 23, 2015; Amended by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.270 Abandoned Signs.

A. An abandoned sign shall be removed from the site or shall have the copy or text obliterated from such a sign by the owner or lessee of the premises upon which the sign is located following the expiration of 90 days after the associated enterprise or occupant has vacated the premises. Any such sign not removed or modified within this required period shall be removed by the Building Officer in accordance with the abatement procedures set forth in Chapter 8.96.

B. Any nonconforming sign not modified or removed pursuant to Section 9.61.240(B)(5) shall be considered to be an abandoned sign and shall be removed by the Building Officer in accordance with the abatement procedures set forth in Chapter 8.96.

(Added by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.280 Recovery and Disposition of Removed Signs.

A sign removed by the City pursuant to this Chapter shall be held by the City for not less than 30 days during which time it may be recovered by the owner upon presenting proof of ownership and payment to the City for removal and storage costs in an amount established by resolution of the City Council. If not recovered prior to the expiration of the 30-day period, then the sign shall be sold in accordance with the procedures for sale of unclaimed property. The proceeds of the sale, less removal, storage, and sale costs, shall be paid to the owner thereof.

(Added by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)

§ 9.61.290 Regulations.

The Director may promulgate regulations to implement the provisions of this Chapter. No person shall fail to comply with any such regulation.

(Added by Ord. No. 2652CCS § 1, adopted October 13, 2020)